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Necessary evolution

“The industries that were once the backbone of our region are necessarily evolving,” said Ohio Sen. Brian Chavez, R-30th, as he heralded the launch of Marietta College’s Center for Appalachian Innovation. In fact, Chavez expects the center to “play a key role in exploring how we can reinvigorate and develop these industries with new and inventive approaches.” Surely the Center for Appalachian Innovation will do that and much more, as it is meant to focus on not just economic growth, but increased community engagement. Research will be aimed at tackling systemic regional ...

Follow the sound of the bells and give back

If you have been arguing with members of your household about whether the time is right for putting up Christmas decorations (ahead of Thanksgiving), perhaps try mentioning that the bells are already ringing at local retail establishments that host Salvation Army red kettles. The season has begun. It’s hard to ignore the feeling that comes with hearing that familiar jingle as you go about your shopping and running errands. It’s harder to stay grumpy about whether it is too early for a certain Christmas song to become omnipresent or your neighbor’s roofline-high inflatable ...

Head Start also affected by shutdown

Hunger isn’t the only worry for Ohio’s youngest residents affected by the federal government shutdown. Those who attend Head Start preschool and Early Head Start programs could soon see another disruption. Beginning with the lapse in grant funding Nov. 1, 140 programs across the country were affected, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. Seven programs in Ohio were affected — those in Scioto and Highland counties have already had to shut down. Last year, there were 59 total Head Start programs in the Buckeye State, with more than 33,000 children enrolled. Of those served, ...

An honor that can’t be overstated

On Veterans Day, there may be parades, ceremonies — even retailers and restaurants hoping to show their respect by offering discounts and deals to veterans, but how many truly pause long enough to consider the weight of what we honor on that day? On the anniversary of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, we remember because the job done by those who served during World War I was too enormous to forget. We remember because those who have served in the U.S. military since that day have sacrificed for this country to a degree most of the rest simply ...

Kids’ education and safety are never worth compromising

Gov. Mike DeWine has legislation on his desk that should not be difficult to reject. State Senate Bill 50 would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during the school year. According to a report by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the law would require permission from a parent or legal guardian and a work permit from a school, but it would allow students (some of whom could be in the eighth grade, based on their age) to work 18 hours a week or three hours a day during the school year, and 40 hours a week when school is not in session. The most surface-level reason to reject the ...

‘Best of a worst case scenario’

Give credit where credit is due to Ohio lawmakers who worked together to come to a compromise on a redrawn Ohio Congressional district map that has its critics, but came as a bit of a surprise to those who expected something much worse. According to the Statehouse News Bureau, Democrat lawmakers acknowledged the decision wasn’t easy — there is still anger and frustration on both sides — but Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, called it “the best of a worst-case scenario.” In fact, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, told the Akron Beacon Journal she was ...